The best dog breeds to kill rats include the terriers such as Yorkshire Terriers, Jack Russel Terriers, Lakeland Terriers, and of course, Rat Terriers. Other breeds such as German Pinschers and Dachshunds are also good at keeping rats away.

Rat terriers are hardy and resourceful dogs. They can kill hundreds of rats in a short period of time. One rat terrier holds the record of killing 2,500 rats in seven hours.

Don’t let this tenacious terrier’s size limit him, as Rat Terriers are such natural hunters that they can be trained to hunt things like groundhogs, squirrels, rabbits, hares, snakes, and even some larger animals like badgers.

Rat terriers were used for both vermin control and for rat pit contests, where men bet on how many rats in a pit a dog could kill in a certain time period. A rat terrier holds the rat killing record of 2501 rats in a seven hour period in an infested barn.

This is because Terriers are the most super-efficient breed for catching rats – and that is not just us being bias. Small in body, yet long in leg they can dig and burrow which makes for an easy game of rat hide and seek.

1. 1. Rat Terrier. Their name says it all: this dog is the perfect rat hunter. Rat Terriers are small, active, and can be a great companion.
2. Cairn Terrier.
3. Yorkshire Terrier.
4. Norfolk Terrier.
5. Jack Russell Terrier.
6. West Highland White Terrier.
7. Lakeland Terrier.
8. Miniature Schnauzer.

Place a rat in a cage and put it in a room with your dog. Stay in the room as well, as you want to observe his behavior. The idea is to slowly familiarize him with the rat to bring out his natural instinct. Allow him to sniff around the cage for 10 minutes each day for a couple of days.

Keep your dog away from rat baits “Thousands of dogs in NSW are affected by rat bait ingestion every year and this can be fatal,” said Dr Anne Fawcett, in the School of Veterinary Science. Do not walk a dog off-leash in affected areas or in the vicinity of rat baits.”

Certain breeds of dogs have been bred and trained for centuries to seek out pests like rats and mice to kill them. These dogs were bred for hunting and the smaller ones, such as the aptly named Rat Terrier, live to seek and destroy pests.

Introduce your terrier to a rat in a cage. Get your dog excited about the rat by rewarding him when he expresses interest. Be sure to have a professional on hand to maintain the safety of the rat. When your terrier shows interest, and even aggression, reinforce with verbal praise, play, or treats.

Rat Terrier: This well-named breed is by far one of the most popular rodent-killing dogs. Exterminators hired to rid farms of rats will often employ packs of Rat Terriers to accomplish the task. Skillful and swift, Rat Terriers are worth their weight in gold when the vermin run amuck.

Rat Terriers are also perfect for the home because it’s relatively a low maintenance dog. It is quite easy to groom because of its very short and thin body coating. It also maintains that clean looking appearance, especially if you keep you pet indoors during most of its active time.

With their easy-going dispositions, Rat Terriers make great pets for families with children. They’re also good pets for senior citizens. They normally adapt well to any situation. They make a terrific pet for families with young children or for senior citizens.

The Rat Terrier is an American dog breed with a background as a farm dog and hunting companion. They share much ancestry with the small hunting dogs known as feists. Common throughout family farms in the 1920s and 1930s, they are now recognized by the United and American Kennel Clubs and are considered a rare breed.